Vocabulary and Content Review Activity


LESSON PLAN: Out of the Dust vocabulary & content review
ASSESSMENT: “Find Someone Who” worksheets; Share-Outs; Class discussion


Review: Remind students they have now finished reading Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse as part of their Thematic Unit of study. Remind students they have been learning about different components of the U.S. Depression and Dust Bowl era.


Objective: Students will be able to recall and discuss vocabulary and content from Out of the Dust.


Standards: Colorado Reading & Writing Standards: Students write and speak for a variety of purposes; Students view literature as a record of human experience.


Minutes
Activity
Description
Materials
2
Reminders
Cooperative Learning Norms
Norms Poster

1

REVIEW
Remind students they have now finished reading Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse as part of their Thematic Unit of study. Remind students they have been learning about different components of the U.S. Depression and Dust Bowl era.



1


OBJECTIVE


Students will be able to recall and discuss vocabulary and content from Out of the Dust.



2

Introduction


“Find Someone Who” instructions and rationale.

“Find Someone Who” materials – worksheets & markers


1


Guided Practice



Two student leaders demonstrate how the activity works.




10


Independent Practice



“Find Someone Who”
Out of the Dust vocabulary & content



Timer


5

Evaluation –
Answers / Share


First three finishers share-out as classmates check their work for accuracy.



3

Discussion



Timer


2

Material Collection
Students turn in their “Find Someone Who” worksheets.

1
SUMMARIZE
TODAY

Did we meet our objective?


1


PREVIEW
TOMORROW


What are we going to do tomorrow? How did what we did today help prepare us for tomorrow?





Notes for the teacher:


“Find Someone Who” is a cooperative learning activity that can be used to review and practice just about any type of vocabulary or content. The activity was designed by Kagan, the cooperative learning guru, and templates can be found in a variety of Kagan publications.



“Find Someone Who” Instructions:

TEACHER PREP:

  • Using a BINGO-style board, in each square write a vocabulary or content question from Out of the Dust.
  • Decide and obtain prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers.
  • Have the “Find-Someone Who” worksheet copies, markers, and a timer.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE STUDENTS:

  • Each student will have a marker and a worksheet.
  • Students will have 10 minutes to complete the worksheet.
  • Students walk around the room and ask others if they know the answer to a question in one of the squares.
  • If the student in question knows the answer, he/she signs at the bottom of the square.
  • Students continue to move around the room and find others to sign squares until their worksheet is filled.
  • Students may sign their own worksheet ONLY ONCE!
  • The same person can only sign a worksheet TWICE!
  • The first three people to show the teacher a completed worksheet earn a prize.

When the timer rings after 10 mintues, students return to their seats regardless of the content of their worksheet. The first three people to finish then read aloud who answered each of their worksheet questions – that is, who signed for each square. Other students follow along on their own worksheet to check for accuracy as well as make sure that the person reading only used his/her own name once and the names of others students no more than twice.

After checking the work, engage students in a whole-group or small-group discussion about Out of the Dust trivia they just reviewed.

When the timer rings, the discussion ends, and students turn in their worksheets for the teacher to check for overall class accuracy and participation.


An example of a "Find Someone Who" worksheet for Out of the Dust is below.
“Find Someone Who”
Vocabulary and Content Review
Out of the Dust, by Karen Hesse


Name: Date: Grade:

Who is the main character in Out of the Dust?

During what years does Out of the Dust take place?

Where does Out of the Dust take place?
What does Billie Jo call her mother?
  1. Mom
  2. Mother
  3. Ma
  4. Mommy

What is a drought ?
The Dust Bowl was a time period when…
Draw a picture of how you imagine Billie Jo.
What were some of the things that farmers grew where Billie Jo lived?
Draw an outline of the state of Oklahoma.
Free Space!
During the fire, Billie Jo’s were burnt.
  1. Hands
  2. Feet
  3. Legs
What does dust symbolize in Out of the Dust?
Why did families keep moving away from Oklahoma?
What is a bushel ?
What is sod ?
Who is Arley Wanderdale?
What kind of fruit tree grows in Billie Jo’s front yard?
Who was the U.S. president during the Dust Bowl?
What does wheat look like? Draw a picture of wheat.
Why does Billie Jo like to play the piano?